Suds: February 13

Last night, Wisconsin’s own, Bon Iver, pulled in two Grammy awards including one inexplicably for Best New Artist. Apparently the Grammys didn’t hear about For Emma, Forever Ago back in 2007! On a side note, Mumford and Sons are still being nominated for Grammys from their 2010 release Sigh No More.

Bon Iver’s second award was for Best Alternative Album, an award that wasn’t aired on the main broadcast. In typical Vernon fashion, his acceptance speech was humble and quintessentially Midwestern seeming painfully out of place among the glitz and glamour of the Billboard elite. Crack open a Wisconsin staple and MwBC favorite, Schlitz, and check it out yourself.

There's something different in these two photos. Can you spot it? I can't.

- Bell’s Hopslam arrives in Minnesota! Find out the location nearest you that received six-packs.

- Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Town Hall Brewery and fall in love with beer all over again.

- Indiana’s Sun King releases their Isis Imperial IPA in cans this month.

- Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids becomes first LEED Silver commercial brewery in Michigan, possibly U.S.

- Interesting debate on whether Fabiano Bros., a Michigan beer and wine distributor, is a monopoly in need of busting or not.

- Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival returns on March 10. Get your tickets before they sell out.

- Steven’s Point Brewery will release Point Three Kings Ale this spring.

- Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis’ newest brewery, is set to open this summer.

- Tickets for Firkin Fest at The Happy Gnome are on sale now. Get yours before they sell out.

- The Blind Pig Co. in Champaign, IL will be tapping a cask conditioned firkin of Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout this Friday.

What is your favorite Bon Iver song? Tweet @MidwestBeer #BonnyBearRocks with your answer. 

The Art of Beer Cooking: Sliders

What a beautiful morning in Madison. The sun’s shining, cool breeze off the lake and the quite sounds of …corn husking? Oh right, the whole population of Nebraska has descended upon Madison this weekend for the big game. It’s unbelievable how many people can be packed into this city. Why not enjoy some slider while watching the much-anticipated Badgers vs. Cornhuskers showdown.

My recipe this week is for Orange and Beer BBQ Turkey Sliders from the Beer Distributors of Oklahoma. Personally, I love turkey burgers. They don’t have a lot of fat, which makes them easily dry out when cooking, but the addition of the beer to the mixture helps lock in the flavor and moisture. The hint of orange give the dish a fresh, vibrant taste. I used Blue Moon beer since that is a typical combination with orange and it turned out very well. Enjoy! GO BADGERS!

Suds: September 30

The leaves on the maple trees in my backyard are beginning to change from green-yellow to a fire-red and the mornings are getting cooler each day. Fall is a season of flux and small, yet aggregating change that reaches a zenith before the decline into winter. The changing colors of the deciduous forests all across the midwest remind us that there is movement all around us which in the immediate present isimperceptible, but over a longer period of time show the slow breathing life. Nothing captures this better than time-lapse videos, something Sufjan Stevens used for his Futile Devices video. Sit back, sip on a Flat Earth Cygnus-1 Porter and take it in.

- Let it be known, MwBC whole-heartedly supports making the Schlitz Brewery tavern a historic landmark.

- Two Brothers, one short film. Check it out here.

- Left Hand Brewing’s new Nitro Stout is revolutionary.

- Happy Gnomes love cheese and beer. For $12, so should you!

- A crème brûlée beer? I mean, whoa!

- Nebraska comes to Madison to face the Badgers. Don’t have a ticket? No problem, just hang out in the beer gardens which are open late.

- Indiana Public Radio is hosting the 5th annual All Beers Considered event. Get your tickets today!

- Beer and zoos are a perfect combination. Binder Park Zoo in Michigan is selling tickets to BontebOktoberfest today!

- Upland Brewing’s Sour Reserve release party.

- Traverse City’s North Peak Brewing is releasing a hoppy pumpkin ale called Hooligan. I wonder if you start watching English football matches after you drink it?

I’ll be at the 508 tomorrow to root on the Badgers, so stop in and say hello. Or else tweet pictures from your favorite place to watch college football @MidwestBeer.